[ LAKELAND ]

Man Shot Saturday at Lakeland Farmers Market

Published: Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 7:27 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 7:27 p.m.

LAKELAND | The 79-year-old owner of a coin and gun booth was shot in the stomach early Saturday at the Lakeland Farmers Market at 2701 Swindell Road, deputies said.

Two men stopped at the booth around 7:45 a.m. and said they wanted to buy a gun, but the man refused to sell it, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said. The two left but said they would return.

Minutes later, six men came up to the booth and one, who who was armed with a hammer smashed a glass case where handguns were displayed, deputies said. Another man, armed with a handgun, shot the owner.

The group of men were last seen in the northwest corner of the market, cutting across a field.

The 79-year-old underwent surgery at Lakeland Regional Medical Center and is expected to recover, deputies said. The Polk County Sheriff's Office would not release the victim's name Saturday evening.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 863-307-5051 or 863-298-6200.

<p>LAKELAND | The 79-year-old owner of a coin and gun booth was shot in the stomach early Saturday at the Lakeland Farmers Market at 2701 Swindell Road, deputies said.</p><p>Two men stopped at the booth around 7:45 a.m. and said they wanted to buy a gun, but the man refused to sell it, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said. The two left but said they would return.</p><p>Minutes later, six men came up to the booth and one, who who was armed with a hammer smashed a glass case where handguns were displayed, deputies said. Another man, armed with a handgun, shot the owner. </p><p>The group of men were last seen in the northwest corner of the market, cutting across a field.</p><p>The 79-year-old underwent surgery at Lakeland Regional Medical Center and is expected to recover, deputies said. The Polk County Sheriff's Office would not release the victim's name Saturday evening.</p><p>Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 863-307-5051 or 863-298-6200.</p>